The noticeable and real presence of God is something that many Christ-followers may not be aware of or have ever experienced. How can we experience the presence of God throughout our day, even at our workplace? What follows is an extract from a small book, which has challenged and encouraged me over the years. The Practice of the Presence of God was written by Brother Lawrence (born Nicolas Herman), a Christian from France who lived during the sixteenth century. He wrote on the intimacy he experienced through his friendship with God.
“You so earnestly desire that I
describe the method by which I arrived at that habitual sense of God’s
presence, which our merciful Father has granted me. The account I can give you
is:
Having found in many books and different methods of going to
God varying in practices of the spiritual life, only served to puzzle me rather
than assist what I sought after, that is nothing but God my Father and evidence
of His daily presence. This made me determined to give the all for the All.
After giving myself wholly to God my Father and dealing with my sin, I
renounced, for the love of Him, everything that was not Him; and I began to
live as if there was no one but He and me
in the world.
Early on I considered myself as a poor criminal before Him
at the feet of his judge. However, now, I consider Him in my heart as my
Father, as my God. I worship Him as often as I can, keeping my mind in His holy
presence, recalling it as often as I find it wandering from Him. I have made
this my business not only at appointed times of prayer but all of the time;
every hour, every minute, even at the height of my
daily work. I drive everything from my mind that interrupts my thoughts of my
Father.
I found this exercise to be quite challenging at first. Yet,
I continued it despite all the difficulties that occurred. I try not to trouble
or concern myself when my mind wanders. This has been my common practice ever
since I became a Christian. Although I have done it imperfectly, I have found
great benefits by it. These, (I know well), are due to the mercy and goodness
of my Father, because we can do nothing without Him; and myself less than any.
When we are faithful in keeping ourselves in His holy
presence, and setting Him always before us, we are less likely to offend Him
and do anything that may displease Him. It also produces a holy freedom within
us and, if I may so speak, a greater awareness with my Father, when we ask, He
supplies the grace we need. Over time, by repeating this, the presence of God
our Father becomes quite natural to us even at work.
It was observed that
even in the busiest times in the kitchen (where he worked); Brother Lawrence
safeguarded his remembrance and heavenly-mindedness
of God his Father. He was never hasty or
loitering, but did each thing in its turn with an even, uninterrupted composure
and tranquillity of spirit.
‘“The time of work,” he said “does not differ for me from
my time of prayer. In the noise and the clatter of the kitchen, even while
several people are calling for different things at the same, I enjoy my
Father in as great tranquillity as if I were
upon my knees at the blessed supper of prayer.”’
[1]
Brother Lawrence, “The
Practice of the Presence of God.” http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/practicegodspresence09.html
(19th May 2016).
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